International Relations

Just when you thought it couldn't get worsehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH72poFX08A - @SimCityAT
They are trying to reign him in a bit in Congress after Venezuela BUT it's hardly a major revolt amongst Republicans.
I think he'll not invade. He doesn't need to. He can just lower the Danish flag at the northern base and increase the troops there to "defend" it. Then he'll just say it's now sovereign territory. Job effectively done. If he does do that, any US civilians elsewhere in Greenland would surely have to be ejected. I wonder if the US base commander would refuse to do it? Without authorisation from Congress, surely it would be an illegal move.

NATO needs to get in there now. There are potential bases in the East of Greenland that could be revived or temporary bases could be created. There are unused airfields there apparently.

I tend to think this is distraction from Epstein. Rubio said it was a negotiating tactic. For what though?

BTW, that guy commenting on the Daily Mail article re Trump and the generals looks about 12. - @fluffy2560

Already happening

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/brit … 65946.html

Already happening
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/brit … 65946.html - @SimCityAT

WIMPS

Instead of sending troops to deter the clear and unambiguous threat of invasion by the US, they claim to be thinking about it to defend against a zero threat from China and/or Russia.

Trump wins the propaganda BS war again because people will be stupid enough to believe two countries with no intention of attacking Greenland are a threat, but the nation with a stated aim to do is is a big friend and general fluffy bunny.

What a load of old rubbish.

Already happeninghttps://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/brit … 65946.html - @SimCityAT

Makes one wonder what they are going to do?  Establish a NATO base?  It'll take 6 months at least to bring back an airfield - unless they use the new international airport -  and mobilise enough materiel by ship to sustain a few thousand troops.  And the UK military are just depleted, they could barely field enough people to run any operation.  I suppose they could stage it through Iceland.  But it seems the USA would have to leave their base there and everywhere else.  They will rapidly become the enemy.  Maybe this is the beginning of the end of NATO and the alliances we've relied on for decades falls to bits.  And Vlad will be happy as hell. Agent Trump has brought in the big one. 

And Iran?  Or Syria?   From where is the USA going to bomb the Iranian regime or ISIS in Syria?

And Iran? Or Syria? From where is the USA going to bomb the Iranian regime or ISIS in Syria? - @fluffy2560

Iran and Syria have no ability to attack the US, and both countries are suffering the results of US interference.

Without the US, the Iranians would very probably still be a democracy.

I'm assured that Trump doesn't drink, so that excuse is not available to him.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/1 … s-for-iran

It looks like Iran, the country that America removed the democracy from, is next.

Back to a mass murdering Shah for a while?

Still, the US gets the oil so does it really matter who gets killed?

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gelrxxr0o

Kidnapped, locked up, and tortured for 20 years without any evidence or charges.

The US is guilty of extremely serious crimes, but they keep him locked up and nobody will ever face charges for the crimes they have committed against him.

The US regime is an especially toxic one.

And Iran? Or Syria? From where is the USA going to bomb the Iranian regime or ISIS in Syria?  - @fluffy2560
Iran and Syria have no ability to attack the US, and both countries are suffering the results of US interference.
Without the US, the Iranians would very probably still be a democracy. - @Fred

Always with the histrionics.   What one really needs to know is what is going to happen now?

Trump says the Iranians want discussions but assuming this goes nowhere and Trump hits Iran, what is that going to achieve?  And what is he going to hit?   

It's economic issues which are causing the unrest.  Nothing the Ayatollah can do to fix that.     

The only thing I think Trump can attack is the IRGC and other security force units.

If we see the Iranians taking up arms and shooting back at the security forces, then maybe it'll be civil war.

Always with the histrionics. - @fluffy2560

Because they matter to today's situation.  Your inability to see that explains why your take on the world is so poor.

And Iran? Or Syria? From where is the USA going to bomb the Iranian regime or ISIS in Syria? - @fluffy2560
Iran and Syria have no ability to attack the US, and both countries are suffering the results of US interference.
Without the US, the Iranians would very probably still be a democracy. - @Fred
Always with the histrionics. What one really needs to know is what is going to happen now?
Trump says the Iranians want discussions but assuming this goes nowhere and Trump hits Iran, what is that going to achieve? And what is he going to hit?

It's economic issues which are causing the unrest. Nothing the Ayatollah can do to fix that. 

The only thing I think Trump can attack is the IRGC and other security force units.

If we see the Iranians taking up arms and shooting back at the security forces, then maybe it'll be civil war. - @fluffy2560

Ye gods. Do you not read the news?

The US is trying to put the Shah's son into power as if he has a legitimate claim to rule Iran.

Perhaps you simply don't understand it because it isn't reported in comics.

And Iran? Or Syria? From where is the USA going to bomb the Iranian regime or ISIS in Syria? - @fluffy2560Iran and Syria have no ability to attack the US, and both countries are suffering the results of US interference. Without the US, the Iranians would very probably still be a democracy. - @FredAlways with the histrionics. What one really needs to know is what is going to happen now?Trump says the Iranians want discussions but assuming this goes nowhere and Trump hits Iran, what is that going to achieve? And what is he going to hit? It's economic issues which are causing the unrest. Nothing the Ayatollah can do to fix that. The only thing I think Trump can attack is the IRGC and other security force units. If we see the Iranians taking up arms and shooting back at the security forces, then maybe it'll be civil war. - @fluffy2560 Ye gods. Do you not read the news?The US is trying to put the Shah's son into power as if he has a legitimate claim to rule Iran.Perhaps you simply don't understand it because it isn't reported in comics. - @Fred

Less with the insults please. It adds nothing.

Yes, I do read the news and I listen to the radio.  But proper journalism, not YT wannabe influencers or half-assed writers who do not verify their sources. 

The US is not trying to put a Shah back in.  They haven't even mentioned that. It looks more like he's doing that himself with his supporters. 

What I want to know is what Donny thinks he's going to do to back up his claims of intervening?  Who is he going to intervene against?  Hit the IGRC or kill the Ayatollah? 

Yes, I do read the news and I listen to the radio. But proper journalism, not YT wannabe influencers or half-assed writers who do not verify their sources.

The US is not trying to put a Shah back in. They haven't even mentioned that. It looks more like he's doing that himself with his supporters. - @fluffy2560

You have to read US government outlets (not just The Beano) then you will see they are doing a lot more than just mentioning it.

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/08/31 … tion-plan/

The West must back Reza Pahlavi’s Iran transition plan

Who published the piece?

https://www.fdd.org/team/nsn/

Take a look at the list of names and tell me the US isn't trying to stuff their pet, mass murdering, dictator's son into power.

The news isn't HERE, but it does deliver stuff that's appropriate for your level of understanding.

Yes, I do read the news and I listen to the radio. But proper journalism, not YT wannabe influencers or half-assed writers who do not verify their sources. The US is not trying to put a Shah back in. They haven't even mentioned that. It looks more like he's doing that himself with his supporters.  - @fluffy2560You have to read US government outlets (not just The Beano) then you will see they are doing a lot more than just mentioning it.https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/08/31 … tion-plan/The West must back Reza Pahlavi’s Iran transition planWho published the piece?https://www.fdd.org/team/nsn/Take a look at the list of names and tell me the US isn't trying to stuff their pet, mass murdering, dictator's son into power.The news isn't HERE, but it does deliver stuff that's appropriate for your level of understanding. - @Fred

I never read your links. 

Really,  stop with the insults, it makes you look like you're just ranting and very unreasonable. Doesn't add anything.

Are they still publishing The Beano? You seem to know.

Get back to proper discourse and analysis if you want to engage in this forum. Otherwise you'll fail your GCSE current affairs.

WW 3 is already here.

Everyday some new insanity is in the news.

Got a new message from a hiring company in Vegas.

Offering a machinist job starting pay, $86,000 to $198,000!!!!!

Hmm, maybe paying for machinist tools for the last 30 years in storage might of been a good idea after all;

Just kidding, hubby is too old for that sort of pressure.

But it goes to show how desperate they are to find people with real hands on skills to make parts for the military machine.

IDK, is there any sort of super vitamin to give my husband so at age 78 he can work at a high stress job?

Money, the root of all evil!

I never read your links. - @fluffy2560

I know - That's part of the reason you'll never manage my level of understanding.

1. The first link is the US government supporting the potential new Shah, something you claimed wasn't happening.
2. The second link shows all the people involved - It's all US politicians and US military .. oh, and the CIA.

Still, you may stick to your story about the US not supporting their pet dictator's son, even when it has been published on US government sites. You look rather stupid, but you can stick to your guns and claim they haven't said it.

However, anyone who clicks the links can see you are very wrong (as usual).

WW 3 is already here.
Everyday some new insanity is in the news.
Got a new message from a hiring company in Vegas.
Offering a machinist job starting pay, $86,000 to $198,000!!!!!
Hmm, maybe paying for machinist tools for the last 30 years in storage might of been a good idea after all;
Just kidding, hubby is too old for that sort of pressure.
But it goes to show how desperate they are to find people with real hands on skills to make parts for the military machine.
IDK, is there any sort of super vitamin to give my husband so at age 78 he can work at a high stress job?
Money, the root of all evil! - @Marilyn Tassy

Some idiot in the US government wants only US ships to be allowed to deliver oil to the US, but they have no shipping industry. Indonesia produces more tonnage than the US, and Indonesia is a small player in that game. They are running around like idiots to get old manufacturing back up and running immediately, but it will take them at least 10 years, and they will need Chinese help to do it. To actually catch up with the Chinese will probably take 20 to 30 years.

That might explain the adverts showing desparation.

I never read your links.  - @fluffy2560I know - That's part of the reason you'll never manage my level of understanding.The first link is the US government supporting the potential new Shah, something you claimed wasn't happening.The second link shows all the people involved - It's all US politicians and US military .. oh, and the CIA.Still, you may stick to your story about the US not supporting their pet dictator's son, even when it has been published on US government sites. You look rather stupid, but you can stick to your guns and claim they haven't said it.However, anyone who clicks the links can see you are very wrong (as usual). - @Fred

I wait for the mainstream sites to publish their analysis as professional journalists.  They are better at summarising key points so I don't have to.   And I haven't got the time or inclination to check your homework.

So come on Freddy boy, what's Trump going to do with his threat to take military action?   Extra points for less ranting and more reasoned output.  What form would this military action take?  And Russia...?

As for the Shah, he's a distraction at the moment.

I wait for the mainstream sites to publish their analysis as professional journalists. They are better at summarising key points so I don't have to.

As for the Shah, he's a distraction at the moment. - @fluffy2560

Lazy doesn't win prizes,  and you never get the real news. That's why you are wrong so many times. Add that you actually believe the newspapers, drrr.

The Shah is a distraction being pushed by the US government.

WW 3 is already here.Everyday some new insanity is in the news.Got a new message from a hiring company in Vegas.Offering a machinist job starting pay, $86,000 to $198,000!!!!!Hmm, maybe paying for machinist tools for the last 30 years in storage might of been a good idea after all;Just kidding, hubby is too old for that sort of pressure.But it goes to show how desperate they are to find people with real hands on skills to make parts for the military machine.IDK, is there any sort of super vitamin to give my husband so at age 78 he can work at a high stress job?Money, the root of all evil! - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, probably it's a phoney war.   That's occurred before when the UK declared war on Germany for WW2.

Why doesn't your hubby do training?  He could do that part time.  Get paid by some US agency to run machinist training courses. 

My colleague is 79 and he's only working when he's offered something interesting.  He doesn't care much of the time.  He's not the only one of that age doing the odd job.   None of them are machinists!

Lazy doesn't win prizes, and you never get the real news. That's why you are wrong so many times. Add that you actually believe the newspapers, drrr.The Shah is a distraction being pushed by the US government. - @Fred

I don't read newspapers.  I read mainstream news sites.  And I do not mean the Daily Mail.

Apart from that, put some energy into answering the question and provide some analysis. 

Reminder: What's Donny going to do?  Or is it a bluff?

Just a quick question Fredo, have you been to university? If so what did you study?

I don't read newspapers. I read mainstream news sites. And I do not mean the Daily Mail.
- @fluffy2560

Looking at your posting history, it's more likely you read anything that supports your blind racism against the Chinese and newspaper generated Bias against the Russians.

You post anti-chinese stories that are inventions of the press, and anti-Russian bile with no clue as to why Putin invaded Ukraine.

"It's history", you bleat like a well trained sheep, but you take no mind of the situation that caused most of the world's problems, or indeed the regime that's guilty of them.

You even deny the US is actively supporting the 'new shah' even though the US government says that they are on US government sites that are just one clich away from your ignorance.

"Gu" is a sanskrit word meaning darkness or shadows

"Ru" is from the same ancient language, and that means the light, or the person who brings light/dispels the darkness.

I can, for a reasonable fee, become your guru.

However, with such a backwards student, I would enumerate something you probably can't afford.

For readers who want to avoid being as dumb as some on here, the trick is employing thinking skills instead of hoping a newspaper decides to print something that doesn't produce a popularist view in order to attract advertising fees. 

Of course, 50 years of reading up on international politics helps.

I was reading EVERY UK national newpaper at the age of 11, listening to short wave propaganda stations from all over the world from around the age of 17, and I read a lot of news from all over the world every day.

Apart from the news sites, I read government sites from any countries involved in any specific dispute. The language they employ often tells a story they don't actually tell, but the big trick is seeing what they don't say and hunting for that.

This is why Fluffy is always going to be 'Beano', and I will remian 'guru'.

Oh, and history. The best history is never from opinion, but from declassified CIA documants.

The real beauty of reading them is you can see the tactics of old, and see how they match to today's lies.

Until Trump, they always followed the same playbook, but Trrump is far more open with his lies, especially when he abandons them in favour of the truth.

Yes, I'm aware Trump commonly lies, but he commonly tells the truth when he gets excited. Venezuela's oil truth didn't take anything like as long to come out as the CIA removing Iran's democracy for oil cash, but Trrump loves to take credit so he forgets to hide the lies.

I don't read newspapers. I read mainstream news sites. And I do not mean the Daily Mail.  - @fluffy2560Looking at your posting history, it's more likely you read anything that supports your blind racism against the Chinese and newspaper generated Bias against the Russians.You post anti-chinese stories that are inventions of the press, and anti-Russian bile with no clue as to why Putin invaded Ukraine."It's history", you bleat like a well trained sheep, but you take no mind of the situation that caused most of the world's problems, or indeed the regime that's guilty of them.You even deny the US is actively supporting the 'new shah' even though the US government says that they are on US government sites that are just one clich away from your ignorance. "Gu" is a sanskrit word meaning darkness or shadows"Ru" is from the same ancient language, and that means the light, or the person who brings light/dispels the darkness.I can, for a reasonable fee, become your guru. However, with such a backwards student, I would enumerate something you probably can't afford.For readers who want to avoid being as dumb as some on here, the trick is employing thinking skills instead of hoping a newspaper decides to print something that doesn't produce a popularist view in order to attract advertising fees. Of course, 50 years of reading up on international politics helps.I was reading EVERY UK national newpaper at the age of 11, listening to short wave propaganda stations from all over the world from around the age of 17, and I read a lot of news from all over the world every day.Apart from the news sites, I read government sites from any countries involved in any specific dispute. The language they employ often tells a story they don't actually tell, but the big trick is seeing what they don't say and hunting for that.This is why Fluffy is always going to be 'Beano', and I will remian 'guru'. - @Fred

I skimmed that posting as it's just more  trolling and ranting.   But I've got broad shoulders (thank you military for making me run with heavy guns and ammo).   

I ain't bovvered so much although it isn't netiquette to behave like that.

So apart from what you said to big yourself up, you didn't answer my questions.

Come on Freddy, let's hear some answers.  I want to know if you are even on the radar as a peer of most people in these forums.  I'm not being judgemental, everyone can have their views but they have to be coherently written, not just a brain dump of biases and incorrectly laid out arguments.  Quality over quantity my friend. 

To be directly honest, it looks like you are suffering from insecurity and inadequacy.  Armchair general opinionating (even from the 3rd world) is not that helpful to anyone.   You could approach it a different way if you feel the need to re-educate people. 

I skimmed that posting

As you do reality

if you feel the need to re-educate people. - @fluffy2560

In your case, we can skip the 're'.

if you feel the need to re-educate people.  - @fluffy2560
In your case, we can skip the 're'. - @Fred

And? What's a Donny to do?   

Not seeing that question being answered.

I don't see who Donny is going to bomb.  Others are saying the same in the media.  No-one knows who to hit.

This is going to be a bombshell or a fizzle:

Trump warns of 'mess' ahead of legal ruling on tariffs

Looking at the history, I don't see how the Teflon Don can win, even with SCOTUS heavily biased for Trump.

From Euronews:

EU Parliament questions defence loan's '€17 billion election gift' to Hungary

MEPs worry that without strict conditions, Viktor Orbán will funnel EU funds meant for defence into his upcoming election campaign.

The European Parliament is set to hold a debate about the allocation of public defence funds to Hungary over fears that the money may be misused by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces a difficult election in April.

The money in question is part of the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, a €150 billion loan scheme that enables member states to finance the purchase of defence equipment.

From Euronews:
EU Parliament questions defence loan's '€17 billion election gift' to Hungary

MEPs worry that without strict conditions, Viktor Orbán will funnel EU funds meant for defence into his upcoming election campaign.

The European Parliament is set to hold a debate about the allocation of public defence funds to Hungary over fears that the money may be misused by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces a difficult election in April.

The money in question is part of the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, a €150 billion loan scheme that enables member states to finance the purchase of defence equipment. - @fluffy2560

No,the European Parliament has not said that.

A few MEPs have said it, and it can't be that big a thing because there won't be a resolution.

You have to read past the headline.

From Euronews:EU Parliament questions defence loan's '€17 billion election gift' to HungaryMEPs worry that without strict conditions, Viktor Orbán will funnel EU funds meant for defence into his upcoming election campaign.The European Parliament is set to hold a debate about the allocation of public defence funds to Hungary over fears that the money may be misused by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces a difficult election in April.The money in question is part of the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, a €150 billion loan scheme that enables member states to finance the purchase of defence equipment. - @fluffy2560 No,the European Parliament has not said that.A few MEPs have said it, and it can't be that big a thing because there won't be a resolution. You have to read past the headline. - @Fred

Those are not my comments in italics, they are the first three paragraphs of the article.

I did read it all as I always do and drew no conclusions and made no comments.

It's just informational about inter-EU relations as relates to Hungary and EU funding.

It's just informational about inter-EU relations as relates to Hungary and EU funding. - @fluffy2560

No, it is not. It's a "what if" by a very few people.

It's makes a lovely anti-Hungary story for non-thinkers to enjoy.

It's just informational about inter-EU relations as relates to Hungary and EU funding. - @fluffy2560
No, it is not. It's a "what if" by a very few people.
It's makes a lovely anti-Hungary story for non-thinkers to enjoy. - @Fred

Whatever.

It's got legs for Hungary and it's in the Hungarian forum.

Good enough for us living here in the country and EU.

Others can go forth and multiply.

There are rumblings.

Non-essential personal moved out of US middle East bases, B52s on the move, and tankers along with command and control aircraft being moved around.

Is Trump after Iran's oil?

The US has been pushing their puppet dictator's son as a new leader, so the possibility of yet another US coup, this time with military mass killings of civilians, may be on the cards.

Trump will probably attempt to do a deal with the Iranians.   

He's not bothered about who he is dealing with, dictatorship or otherwise, only how much money he can get out of it for himself under the guise of enriching the USA.  Look at Venezuela.

For us here, Iran is not as important as Ukraine.  He's threatening Iran but why isn't he threatening Russia?  He knows Iran cannot really fight back.  Not effectively anyway.  But they are a very different foe than anyone he's dealt with so far.

Economist posted a piece that Trump is in a hurry to cement his legacy.  He's an old guy - 79 years old.  Way too old for that job.   One can probably expect more and more Trumpist actions in the future.

https://www.themirror.com/travel/breaki … 24-1618405

The real news is commonly found in semi-related, or unrelated stories.

Working out what will happen is like working on a jigsaw puzzle without a box picture, and you have to find the right pieces but are scattered around with bits from other puzzles.

From UK:

New rules to make it easier to call up reservists for war

The government is to announce new powers making it easier to mobilise tens of thousands of former armed forces personnel to prepare for war......New rules will mean reservists remain on call for an extra decade, and lower the threshold for them being called into service.  ......Currently, the age limit for the strategic reserve is 55. This will change to 65.

As a former Royal Air Force member, while it's interesting to be called up, I'm well past my previous skills sell by date and it was ~40 years ago.  I couldn't in any way do the same job I did back then.  Anyone over 60 is unlikely to be in good enough shape healthwise for this other than background support. 

If we (former UK soldiers) were called for something, would we go?   I think the majority of former military members would agree to do something, whatever it is, regardless of age.   

I heard people on their radio in their 70s saying they'd agree to help.   I've seen video of old codger units working part-time in Ukraine, launching rockets at the Russians.   No-one under 60.

I heard people on their radio in their 70s saying they'd agree to help. I've seen video of old codger units working part-time in Ukraine, launching rockets at the Russians. No-one under 60. - @fluffy2560

Mercenaries are common in wars as there are always people willing to kill for money.

As for the somewhat pathetic UK plans, they will remain a joke until the UK provides the vital equipment troops need.  Then the UK needs to learn it is no longer a colonial power and read the definition of the word 'defence'.

I'll give number 10 a clue, it isn't defined as helping a despot puppet dictatorship that replaced an internationally recognised democracy to stay in power.

From the mainstream media:

Rightwingers of the world unite to endorse Orbán ahead of Hungary’s election

Hard-right and populist leaders from across the globe have appeared in an online video endorsing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of an election that polls suggest could end his long premiership......The campaign video, published by Orbán this week, shows 11 national leaders and hard-right figureheads – including France’s Marine Le Pen, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Argentina’s Javier Milei – endorsing the Hungarian leader’s bid for a fifth consecutive term in office. The American actor Rob Schneider also lent his support.

It remains to be seen if this video will make any difference whatsoever to the rise of Magyar Peter. Polling latest shows Tisza marginally ahead (i.e. not a landslide).  Not unexpectedly, polls show Tisza ahead in Budapest which is not a Fidesz stronghold.     

The election is on Sunday April 12 2026. 

Readers should be aware that Péter Magyar's campaign is backed by Journalismfund Europe and other EU funded groups.

The upshot is, Hungarian opposition groups are using foreign money to influence the election to suit EU interests, not those of Hungary.

That isn't support for today's government,  just a note that the EU is trying to influence the election in its favour.

@Fred